Which of the following is NOT one of the four essential elements of public relations?

Crisis management is not considered one of the four essential elements of public relations. The four essential elements typically identified in the field of public relations are research, planning, communication, and evaluation.

Research forms the basis for understanding the target audience and the context of communication efforts. Planning involves creating a strategy to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Communication is the act of conveying information and messages to the audience. Finally, evaluation is the process of assessing the effectiveness of public relations efforts to determine if objectives are met and to identify areas for improvement.

While crisis management is a critical component of public relations, especially in handling negative situations or communication emergencies, it is considered more of a specialized function within the broader framework of public relations rather than one of the foundational elements. Understanding this distinction helps clarify that while crisis management is important, it does not fall under the core elements that define the practice of public relations as a discipline.